AROUND THE KITCHEN: BAKED HAM WITH SCALLOPED POTATOES

Welcome back for more fun in the kitchen.

This is our first BLOG of the new year. We got a bit sidetracked in 2022.

We started off the year with Prostate Surgery, moved to the loss of a nephew, and finished the year with a case of COVID.

All in all 2022 was like two bonus tracks on a YOKO ONO album. (In other words...... IT SUCKED !!)

But we are back and hoping for a Better 2023.

Today, we are making a wonderful Ham to go along with a new recipe I found on line.

Penny and I had a craving for ham and decided that scalloped taters would go well with the ham.

We really like the ROYAL HAM, and once in a while we can actually find one.

So, with ham in the cold box, I went searching for a new Scalloped Potato recipe.

My search led me to A SOUTHERN SOUL

This recipe looked interesting so let's give it a go,

They say the prep time is 15 minutes, but plan on more (30-45 minutes.)

Are we ready ???????

Start with the Ham.

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Remove from package and take out the little plastic plug.

In a large baking pan add 2 Cups of water.

Place the Ham in the center of the pan, and cover tightly with foil.

Place in a pre heated 350 degree oven for 2 hours or until internal temp reached 160 degrees.

No let's start on the taters.

Ingredients

¼ cup butter

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

¼ cup flour

2 cups milk

1 cup chicken or vegetable broth

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, thinly sliced

1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

We start with peeling and slicing the Potatoes. (I used Russets)

If you are using a Mandolin, BE CAREFULL!!!!!! Use a glove for your protection.

Butter a 9×13 baking dish and set aside.

In a medium-size pot, melt butter. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Sprinkle in flour, stir to combine, and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes.

Carefully pour in the stock and whisk to combine with flour mixture.

Add in the milk, salt, and pepper, whisking all together. Bring the mixture up to a simmer and continue to whisk until sauce has thickened. Remove from heat.

Layer half of the potatoes in the prepared dish.

Sprinkle on half of the thyme and Parmesan cheese.

Ladle over half of the sauce and repeat layer of potatoes, remaining sauce, thyme and cheese.

Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Remove foil and continue to cook for 30 minutes until bubbly around the edges. Set oven to broil and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until potatoes are golden brown on the top.

While you wait play with the dog and have an adult beverage.

2 is better !!!!

Same with beer !!!

Oh, we are about done !!!

Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired and serve.

With the Ham placed on a cutting board, cut into little pieces.

Time for D I N N E R !!!!

So, how do we do ?????

The Ham came out perfect. These hams are NOT overly salty and are as tender as can be.

The Potatoes were a surprise !! Penny pointed out to me that the ONLY cheese in this was PARMESAN. I have hated Parmesan Cheese since I was a kid. Penny has taught me that my hatred is for the Cheese in the GREEN can. Over the years I have started to use just a bit on Pizza and Marinara Sauce. And green cans NEVER grace our pantry.

So I figured I should give it a try. And boy was I rewarded !!!

This was the best Scalloped Taters I have ever eaten.

The cheese sauce was NOT overpowering. The only thing I would have done different is to either cook them longer OR slice the potatoes a bit thinner.

Other than that, WINNER WINNER POTATO DINNER !!!!!

And it make for great LEFT OVERS the next night !!